Applying best-in-class analytics to a whole-system approach to managing knee problems NHS Forth Valley
- Run by NHS Forth Valley, in partnership with Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership, and the University of Stirling.
- Used a best-in-class approach to improving patient outcomes and service efficiency across the joint pain and elective care pathway.
- Analysts, managers and practitioners worked to diagnose whole-system problems and develop a sustainable way of using statistical and process mapping tools.
- Ran from August 2018 to July 2019.
The increasing prevalence of knee problems and resulting demand on services is a common challenge to all health and care systems. This project led by NHS Forth Valley involved developing a best-in-class (BIC) approach to improve the prevention and management of knee problems.
The work spanned NHS Forth Valley, local GP practices, health and social care partnerships, and local authority services.
The BIC approach is an innovative, outcomes-based approach which has the potential to ‘shift’ services and practice in ways that empower people to self-manage, target services to when and where they are needed, and improve personal and clinical outcomes.
With dedicated analytical support, the project team developed and undertook a four-step process to advanced analysis at clinical system level. The steps were developed using the model of lower limb joint arthritis through the orthopaedic clinical system, including a comparison of different models of preventive care.
The existing pathway was mapped and data was mined to find relevant data from existing records. Flow balancing methods were used and then a simulation model was developed using Simul8. The process was repeated for a second focus area: mental health pathways.
Training materials and packages have been developed and are available on an NHS community website. The in-house teams attended a one-day workshop and an additional workshop was held for teams from other health boards; this was attended by 35 analysts from nine health board areas and the Scottish government.
The project team is working with the Scottish government on developing pathways, flows and simulation models for inpatient admissions and bed occupancy. Other health boards are developing their own capabilities based on the training provided through this project.
Contact information
For more information on this project, contact Susan Bishop, Head of Efficiency, Improvement and Innovation, NHS Forth Valley.
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